I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you for all the kind messages I have received from our families in recent days. Porters Grange means so much to me and I am incredibly proud to have worked here for the last five years. It is a very special school which does so much for our community. The staff are committed and hardworking and dedicate themselves to providing a stable and caring environment in which the children can learn and thrive. If I can ask one thing, it would be to let them know often that they are appreciated; they are a fantastic team.
I would also like to say thank you to the children. They are the ones who truly make the school what it is. They have given me so many happy and funny moments and I look forward to popping back to see how they are getting on.
Porters Grange has existed for 130 years. During those years, like every school, it has had its ups and downs. However, under Miss Henley’s leadership the school has developed so much and is in such a good place. She continues to drive standards in all areas and has developed a calm, caring and welcoming environment for your children. To have played a small part in this makes me immensely proud and I am sure that Porters Grange will continue to go from strength to strength into the future.
Mr Aggus
Diary Dates
May
- Monday 27th - BANK HOLIDAY - School Closed
- Tuesday 28th - Friday 31st - May Half Term
June
- Monday 3rd - INSET DAY
- Wednesday 5th - Drumming Workshop
- Monday 10th - Friday 14th - Healthy Eating Week
- Tuesday 11th - KS2 Borough Sports
- Tuesday 18th - Class Photos
- Thursday 20th - Southend School Gotta Dance - Palace Theatre
July
- Wednesday 3rd - KS2 Sports Afternoon at Southchurch Park
- Friday 5th - Year 6 Transition Day
- Wednesday 10th - Friday 12th - Danbury Residential trip
- Friday 19th - Last Day of Term
Nursery
This week we have been so excited with how our bean seeds have grown. We have been finding out more about how seeds grow and looking at other things that grow from seeds.
We have also enjoyed some listening to different sounds games in letters and sounds time.
We have also enjoyed reading some books that the children have brought to nursery from home.
REMINDERS: Have an amazing and safe half term holiday.
Letters send home this week
Reception
This week we have had lots of fun learning about our teeth. How to brush them, what food and drink is good for our teeth and imagining what the tooth fairy looks like. In Maths we have been learning to add and subtract numbers up to 10. This week we have had our phonic assessments.
REMINDER: Your child has been given a new book for half term. Please read at home.
Letters send home this week
Year 1
This week in English, we have been learning to write a descriptive account about a monster we designed. We have really enjoyed designing the monster and the features it has. We have used descriptive words and made sure our account is interesting. In maths, we have been learning about fractions, identifying quarters and also using specific vocabulary when answering questions.
We have also been learning about the climate in Kenya. We went outdoors to complete a field study of our weather in Southend and compared it to Nairobi’s. Did you know Kenya is currently coming to the end of their rainy season? It is called masika.
REMINDER: Please wear appropriate clothing for the weather. We understand the weather is changeable so the children must bring a light jacket or mac.
Letters send home this week
Year 2
This week in English, we identified the features of a postcard and used the first person to write postcards to loved ones. We described our visits to the statue of Christ the Redeemer, Iguazu Falls, and Copacabana Beach. In Maths, we started learning about statistics. We expanded our knowledge by working with tally charts, tables, diagrams, and interpreting pictograms. In Geography, we explored the vibrant Brazilian Carnival. We recognized the iconic designs of the carnival and discussed how it might make you feel. We also made beautiful carnival masks to celebrate the festivities. In Computing, we completed our maps for the Bee-Bots. We programmed them and had a great time watching them move around our maps.
REMINDER: Please continue to read with your child daily. Enjoy an amazing half term holiday.
Letters send home this week
Year 3
This week we continue to look at time in math’s, we are focusing on the minute hand and looking at how after half past we move to the word ‘to’.
In English we are journal writing exploring our emotions, thoughts, proud moments and accomplishments. In Geography we are exploring the European country Italy, creating a passports of facts such as landmarks and volcanoes.
REMINDERS: Please continue to encourage your child to be completing 5/10 minutes of TTRockstars at least 3 times a week.
Letters send home this week
- Year 3 - Lobster - Garon Park Garden Project - 17.05.2024
- Year 3 - Starfish - Garon Park Garden Project - 17.05.2024
- Whole School - National Smile Month - 15.05.2024
Year 4
This week in English, we have been using our previous knowledge from our Geography lessons, to write a report on natural resources and the effect of over-using them. We have been applying this learning to a local trip, where children observed whether Southend is a circular economy. Children have been evidencing how the local council, businesses and companies share, lease, reuse, repair, refurbish, and recycle existing materials and products. In maths, children have started a new topic on ‘money’ and are learning that money is written in decimals. In Art, children have been using a new art medium called ‘plaster bandage’. They have been manipulating this to add shape and form to their sculptures of the human figure.
REMINDER: TT Rockstars homework is set weekly.
Please help your children learn their times tables so they are ready for their Multiplication Tables Check in June.
Letters send home this week
Year 5
This week Year 5 have been writing their own persuasive speeches about what should happen to the Kursaal. They included persuasive language, modal verbs and explained their reasons for changing the Kursaal into something exciting!
In PE, the children had a go at working as a team and blindfolding each other!
REMINDER: Have a lovely half term. Please remember to take photos reading in new and unusual places.
Year 6
This week we have started a new maths project, which involves planning for a business and choosing how to spend our money wisely! In English, we are continuing with our newspaper report writing. We have enjoyed taking photos of different textures in art and using our shading skills to recreate some artwork based on them.
REMINDER:
Please ensure the children are reading regularly at home - these should be books that they enjoy.
Please ensure all children have full PE kit in school on Wednesdays and Fridays (this includes no earrings please).
French
This week we have had fun completing our project work in French on the summer in year two; Paris in year five, and the town where I live in year three.
Music
Music Clubs
- Tuesday 12.00pm: Band
- Tuesday 3.30: Music Making (Yrs 1,2)
- Thursday 3.30pm: Choir (Yrs 3,4,5,6).
Instrumental Lessons
We do have a few vacancies, please contact Mrs Baines if your child would like to learn an instrument.
- Tuesday am: Guitar (Mr Brown)
- Wednesday am: Keyboard (Mr Hockey)
- Wednesday am: Guitar (Mr Elliot)
Nb. We are currently looking for a tutor in order to continue offering drum lessons.
Future Events
- 13th June Junior Music Fesitval - KS2 Choir
Online Safety
Second Hand Uniform Shop
Our Uniform shop is located within the front reception area of the school and is open Monday-Friday 8.15am - 4.00pm. All items are 50p each. We always have a good selection of skirts, trousers, jumpers, tops, dresses and P.E items. Please ask at the office to point you in the right direction.
School Uniform Donations
We always welcome school uniform donations for us to sell at our school uniform shop. Could we please ask that the clothes are in good, clean condition. All items can be dropped off at the school office between 8.15am - 4.00pm. Thank you so much for doing this for the school as it helps our parents out tremendously.
Attendance
Congratulations Attendance Awards
Congratulations, Octopus for being our first class to achieve 100% alongside Stingray and both year 4 classes achieving a certificate this week. Well Done also goes to Pebble Class who achieved the highest attendance in key Stage 1.
Being ready for every day and getting in on time is the challenge you set yourself to achieve greatness!
This week we celebrated 369 children who achieved 100% attendance, well done to all of those children who were in every day and on time, helping to better their learning and make more progress.
Being here is half the battle won!
Monitoring Punctuality
Alongside our monitoring exceptional attendance, we also look at punctuality, poor punctuality is measured by how many minutes late your child may have accumulated since January 2024. If your child has more than 90 mins of lateness you may receive a letter highlighting what effect this has had on your child’s learning.
Since punctuality week back in March we have been continued to tracking lateness, if you received a letter about your child’s lateness in March you will receive a second letter with a review of punctuality over the last six weeks.
As a result of this review, you may find that you have been invited to a short attendance meeting to discuss your child’s punctuality. All attendance and punctuality meetings are scheduled for Thursday mornings, please do try to attend, however if you unable to make it please get in contact with the attendance team to rearrange the meeting for a day and time that suits you. We understand everyone leads a busy life, and Mrs Morris often has availability at the start of a day just after you drop off in the morning, or just before you collect your child at the end of a day, to have the meeting.
Contact us
If you would like to talk to someone for support or advice on attendance or punctuality, please do not hesitate to contact the Attendance Team, Mrs S. Wyer, Attendance Administrator or Mrs D Morris Assistant Principal and Senior Leader for Attendance, you can pop in to the school office to speak face to face, alternatively you call the school or drop an email to attendance@pgps.porticoacademytrust.co.uk we here and we are always happy to help!
From the first day of term to the last, the small moments in a school day make a real difference to your child.
Dinner Menu
Week 2
Monday - Pork Sausage with Mashed Potato & Gravy - Vegan Sausage with Mashed Potato & Gravy - Pasta & Tomato Sauce - Sweetcorn & Baked Beans - Chocolate Rice Crispie Cake
Tuesday - Chicken & Sweetcorn Pasta - Vegan Tomato & Mixed Bean Sauce with Fusilli - Baked Jacket with Grated Cheese - Carrots & Broccoli - Mandarin Jelly
Wednesday - Honey Roast Gammon with Roast Potatoes & Gravy - Sweet chilli Stir-fry Mushroom & Steamed Rice - Wholewheat Pasta & Tomato Sauce - Seasonal Greens & Peas - Vanilla Ice Cream
Thursday - Chilli Con Carne with Steamed Rice - Vegan Bean Chilli with Steamed Rice - Pasta & Tomato Sauce - Broccoli & Carrots - Chocolate & Pear Sponge
Friday - Breaded Fish Fingers with Chips & Ketchup - Vegan Fajita Wrap with Chips & Ketchup - Peas & Baked Beans - Lemon Drizzle Sponge
Community
Cost of Living Advice
Click here to access cost of living advice from Southend City Council. It contains information on housing support, energy cost advice and benefits and support for those with children.